Immunisation

Question 1

What statement is NOT true in relation to establishing herd immunity?

A large percentage of the population is immunised

Everyone becomes immune to a disease

Reduces the spread of disease

Vulnerable individuals are protected as there is a lower chance they will come into contact with infected individuals.

Answer 1

Everyone becomes immune to a disease

Question 2

Which are factors upon which herd immunity depends?

1. Type of disease
2. The effectiveness of the vaccine
3. The cost of the vaccine
4. The density of the population

Answer 2

1, 2, 4

Question 3

Which of the following refer to the difficulties in obtaining mass vaccination programmes?

1. Allergic reactions caused by vaccines
2. Poverty in the developing world
3. Vaccines being rejected by some individuals in the developed world

Answer 3

2 and 3

Question 4

During clinical trials, what is the function of a double-blind trial?

Answer 4

Prevents bias in the interpretation of results

Question 5

Which is NOT a factor of establishing herd immunity?

The type of disease
The effectiveness of the vaccine
The density of the population
The cost of the vaccine

Answer 5

Cost of vaccine

Question 6

In terms of disease, why is antigenic variation a problem?

Answer 6

Memory cells will no longer be effective against the pathogen

Question 7

What term is used to describe a substance that makes a vaccine more effective?

Answer 7

Adjuvant

Question 8

What trial methodology prevents both researchers and subjects from knowing who is taking part in clinical trials?

Answer 8

Double-blind trials

Question 9

With reference to vaccinations, what is an adjuvant?

Answer 9

Substances which make the vaccine more effective

Question 10

During clinical trials, only one group of subjects receive the drug whilst the other group remain the control group. This is known as

Answer 10

Placebo controlled trials

Question 11

During clinical trials, what is the function of a randomised trial?

Answer 11

Reduces bias in the distribution of characteristics

Question 12

During clinical trials, what factor will reduce experimental error?

Answer 12

Group size within the trial

Question 13

During clinical trials, what is the function of a placebo-controlled trial?

Answer 13

Ensures valid comparisons

Question 14

Why is the influenza virus a major public health problem?

Answer 14

Antigenic variation

Question 15

What term is used to describe the substance in a vaccine that leads to the production of memory cells?

Answer 15

Antigen

Question 16

During clinical trials, what factor will reduce bias in the distribution of characteristics?

Answer 16

Randomised trials

Question 17

In terms of disease, what is antigenic variation?

Answer 17

Pathogens can change their antigens

Question 18

Which of the following could be a source of antigens used in a vaccination?

1. Dead pathogens
2. Parts of pathogens
3. Weakened pathogens
4. Inactivated pathogen toxins

Answer 18

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 19

During clinical trials, what is the significance of group size?

Answer 19

Reduces experimental error